Speeches

Thank you for letting me be a part of your 12th annual legislative conference.

Throughout its history, the Urban League has stood for meaningful action that helps not just communities of color, but also the entire country in our ongoing effort to create a more just and equal society. So I want to thank you for your work. And I want to say that I share your sense of urgency, as does my entire team.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan delivered the remarks below on a press call with National Urban League President Marc Morial about the importance of ensuring equity in education as part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Secretary Arne Duncan laid out a vision for the nation’s landmark education law, the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) in a speech at Seaton Elementary School in Washington, D.C. On the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the ESEA bill, he called for a new law that will work to ensure strong opportunities for all students, and protect the most vulnerable.

Good Morning! I want to welcome you all to Atlanta, and to thank you for participating in today’s event. This morning’s forum is something we’ve never done before, but Jim and I thought it was important to do given the increasing prominence that student loans have in the lives of both individuals and the nation.

During remarks at the Rural Education National Forum in Columbus, Ohio, Secretary Duncan discusses the challenges facing rural education in America, recognizes the accomplishments of states and districts, and celebrates rural community values that help to support academic excellence.

The remarks are from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Tri-Caucus Plenary Session. Duncan discusses recent initiatives that expand educational opportunities for poor and minority students, including recent guidance that ensures students have equal access to resources.

At the 2014 National HBCU convention, Secretary Duncan affirmed the value of HBCUs to achieving national educational goals, such as regaining America's lead in college attainment, strengthening the STEM fields and the teaching profession, expanding diversity, and encouraging innovation and international education. He also addressed concerns that HBCU leaders have raised about several Obama administration initiatives, and thanked the leadership of HBCUs for helping to improve and strengthen a...

In informal remarks, Secretary Duncan spoke about education leadership, improvement, and equity to students, alumni, and faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on September 19. Duncan discussed the Back-to-School Bus Tour, reflected on his formative educational experiences, and challenged Harvard to break the mold for teacher training programs.